Chapter 102

When Verena pressed for an answer,Isaac was left speechless.

He wanted to clear things up, but couldn't find the words-after all, he had no idea what the engraved "E" actually meant himself.

He met her gaze, his face blank, lips parting as he stammered, "I..."

Nerves crept into his voice, so faint it nearly vanished between them. Sensing his unease, Verena decided not to push any further. She suddenly raised her voice in mock realization. "Oh! That makes sense now!"

Isaac blinked, watching as her eyes danced with mischief. "'E' must be for the last letter in 'LOVE,'right? Isaac, I never guessed you'd be so clever about this stuff!"

He was still frowning, about to say more, when Verena closed the distance and kissed his cheek. "It's a wonderful present-thank you."

Joy lit up her eyes, and her voice came out in a gentle hush. Isaac caught the glow in her smile, held back what he was going to say, and let the mystery behind the letter "E" stay just that.

He offered a smile in return, even if it felt a little stiff."If it makes you happy, that's all that matters."

...

At Bennett Group, after wrapping up a meeting,Isaac made his way back to his office, where Jacob appeared at the door with a gentle knock.

"Yes?" Isaac replied, his thumbs pressing lightly at his temples, eyes closed as if collecting his thoughts.

Handing over the phone, Jacob reported, "Mr.Bennett, you missed a call from Mr. Barrie Lyons about ten minutes ago."

Isaac's eyes opened and he nodded, replying, "Thank you."

With the office empty once more, Isaac dialed Barrie's number.

It didn't take long for the line to connect, Barrie's raspy voice coming through. "Isaac, is that you?"

"It's me, Mr. Lyons." Isaac's tone was respectful. "How have you been these days?" Barrie, always fond of Isaac's manners, let out a soft chuckle. "I'm doing well, thank you."

After a brief exchange, Barrie's voice turned serious."Isaac, there's something I need to ask you."

"Go ahead," Isaac replied.

"Did you tell Beckett to close Alec's club?" Barrie asked directly.

A brief flash of uncertainty passed through Isaac's eyes. Barrie rarely involved himself in affairs outside his own business; today's call was a clear break from the norm.

He answered honestly, "I did."

"But why?" Barrie's question carried both confusion and concern. "Isaac, I'm not trying to interfere, but Dr.Willis is not just Alec's daughter-she's also my savior.Now that her family's in trouble, I can't simply look away. I know you're a fair man, so I have to ask-did Alec wrong you in some way? Otherwise,why would you move against the Willis family?"

His voice softened, almost pleading. "Your wedding to Dr. Willis is just around the corner. If word gets out,people will talk-they'll say you hold a grudge against your fiancée's family, or that you're trying to humiliate her. Alec may have his faults, but he's still her father. No matter what's happened, targeting her family this way only breeds bitterness between you two."

Listening,Isaac realized why Barrie had reached out.

He replied with genuine appreciation, "Thank you for caring about Verena, Mr. Lyons."

He continued, voice steady, "Alec's never slighted me personally. But he's wronged my wife-and that's all that matters to me. Any so-called bitterness isn't a concern. I've always been open with Verena about my actions against her father."

Barrie fell silent, confusion written on his weathered face.

Was Slater right? Was Isaac truly this devoted to Verena?

Could it really be that the entire Willis family faced Isaac's wrath because they had crossed Verena?

Barrie found himself at a loss, unable to make sense of Isaac's motives.

When the silence stretched, Isaac decided to close the conversation. "Don't trouble yourself about the club,Mr. Lyons. I'll make sure it's taken care of."

He added with quiet confidence, "And as for the person who saved your life-rest easy. I'll make sure she won't suffer any injustice."